Our business round up is packed with exciting pop-ups, collaborations and events for you to enjoy this summer
Häagen-Dazs pop-up comes to Arnotts just in time for summer
The weather outside may be frightful but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate summer! Serving scoops since 1961, Häagen-Dazs is hosting a very special pop-up store in Arnotts, Dublin. Launching in mid-June, it offers a delectable range of its famous, mouth-watering flavours where shoppers can make their own Häagen-Dazs ice cream creations. The exclusive Häagen-Dazs pop-up store will be open until Wednesday 24 July, so make sure to pop by to indulge in the ultimate summer treat.
Sensory-friendly performance of Riverdance takes place at the Gaiety Theatre
Following the success of its first sensory-friendly performance last year, Riverdance has announced another one ((suitable for children aged 3 and older) which will take place on Sunday 23 June at 1pm in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.
Allowing everyone to experience the show in a safe, relaxed and non-judgmental environment, the Sensory Friendly Show opens Riverdance to new audiences including those with a sensory predisposition, people who may have accessibility requirements, those with autism or those with a learning disability. Dedicated quiet spaces will be available in the theatre, there will be trained staff on hand and lighting and sound will be modified to accommodate sensory differences. This performance is also open to the general audience and tickets are available on ticketmaster.ie and riverdance.com.
Musicians urged to submit applications for Musical Instruments Fund
Musicians across the country are being urged to submit their applications for Music Network’s Music Capital Scheme. Earlier this year Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media confirmed funding of €1,090,700 for the scheme which provides funding for musical instruments. Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities.
The closing date for applications for Award Categories 1, 2 and 3 is Tuesday, 25 June at 2pm. More information about the awards, guidelines and application forms are available on musicnetwork.ie.
Network Cork members celebrate Businesswomen of the Year at annual awards
The winners of Network Cork’s Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024 were announced at its annual ceremony in May at the Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork. Forty-five women from across Cork City and County were shortlisted for the awards across eight different award categories, based on the calibre of their professional achievement.
The President’s Award was presented to Elaine Duggan, Deputy Features Editor of The Echo and EchoLive.ie and Editor of the paper’s Women on Wednesday (WoW!) supplement, for her support on amplifying stories of individuals driving change in Cork. This special award acknowledges the work of one exceptional individual outside of Network Cork who embodies the spirit of the Network and who has inspired other members. The event was hosted by Anna Daly, TV anchor and presenter, and founder of slow fashion brand Little Bliss, with a special address from Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy.
Stylish new online option for curvy women
Leading award-winning fashion retail expert and founder of Wardrobe Plus, Áine O’Leary, has just unveiled Style Box, an innovative online styling service crafted specifically for curvy women sizes 16 to 30. Just launched in June, this trailblazing service, a first in Ireland, caters to women who desire both elegance and ease in their fashion choices. Style Box combines personal styling with the convenience of online shopping, delivering curated outfits right to your doorstep. Each box is tailored to reflect individual style preferences and body types, ensuring a delightful and hassle-free shopping experience that transcends the traditional retail environment. See stylebox.ie.
Six children’s charities team up for bottle and can donations
Re-turn, operators of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, has announced its charity partner for large-scale events in Ireland – Return for Children. For the first time, six of Ireland’s largest children’s charities – Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland, have come together for a nationwide campaign. Working with large-scale events such as festivals, concerts, and sporting matches, ‘Return for Children’ will provide attendees at participating events with the option to donate their bottle and can deposits at designated Re-turn bins for charity. The monies raised from the initiative collections will be equally divided between all six charities allowing them to continue their vital work supporting vulnerable and seriously ill children in communities across Ireland. To find out more about ‘Return for Children’ and upcoming partner events, click here.
Ireland’s first e-commerce website celebrates 30 years online
Kennys.ie, the website of Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery in Galway, is celebrating 30 years online. Now the oldest online bookshop in the world, Kennys.ie went live in the summer of 1994, just after the website of a bookshop in California, which has since closed. Amazon went online a year later. Over their last three decades selling online, Kennys have shipped millions of books to over 150 countries worldwide and their online trade has become the busiest and largest part of their business, which also includes a retail bookshop, an art gallery and a Libraries & Special Collections division.
Run from their Galway city premises, Kennys ships hundreds of book parcels daily with An Post. While specialising in material of Irish interest, they sell everything from new and secondhand books to rare books and archives on all subject areas. With a free delivery service in Ireland and low shipping rates to countries worldwide, they have always provided a competitive and independent alternative to multinationals.
Pioneering new Irish skincare range tailors exclusively for pre-teens
Founded by award winning beauty entrepreneur, Ellen Kavanagh Jones and entrepreneur Conrad Jones, Your Skin Stuff is dedicated to providing pre-teens with appropriate and safe skincare products while encouraging healthy skin habits. As the first brand of its kind, Your Skin Stuff is set to revolutionise the skincare industry. Recognising the unique need of pre-teens, Ellen and Conrad developed a skincare range that caters specifically to 8 – 12-year-olds, ensuring that young skin receives the gentle care it requires without the unnecessary additives or harsh chemicals. These products cater to their skincare needs while helping kids develop healthy skin habits, encourage independence, and show that taking care of your skin can be fun.
Waterford food producers deliver ‘Mountain Splendour Taste Tour’ Experience
Waterford’s passionate food producers, sustainable farmers and food foragers have collaborated to offer visits and a chance to enjoy access to food producer locations, and farms and enjoy some delicious local produce under the backdrop of the county’s Comeragh Mountain range on a Taste Waterford Mountain Splendour Tour. There will be guided Mountain Splendour Tours on offer on 14 June, 19 July, 23 August and 27 September; each tour departs at 10 am and returns at 4 pm to The Granville Hotel in Waterford City – where the chance to enjoy their award-winning breakfast before you depart is also on offer. Click here for more information.
Luxury Kerry hotel announces partnership with local business
The 5-star Sheen Falls Lodge is delighted to announce a new collaboration with award-winning designer Doireann Healy, founder of the art and sustainable fashion brand Begley & Bowie. This partnership introduces a captivating collection of kids and young adult clothing inspired by the serene ambiance and natural environment of the hotel’s stunning location. The collection features playful illustrations of the lodge’s iconic 1936 Buick and the diverse wildlife found on the estate, including deer, seals, and horses. Each piece is crafted from eco-friendly textiles, such as organic cotton and Irish linen sourced from County Down, and printed on fine art papers from Munken, one of the world’s most environmentally conscious paper mills.
Award-winning Irish beauty brand makes its debut at Brown Thomas, Cork
Ayu Cosmetics‘ luxurious range of products are now available at the esteemed Brown Thomas store in the vibrant heart of Cork City, for a limited summer run. Over the next month, customers can explore the beautiful skin-loving Guaranteed Irish AyuGlo self-tanning range, alongside the brand’s high-quality, award-winning cosmetics. This exciting launch at Brown Thomas Cork positions Ayu Cosmetics among a curated selection of Ireland’s most prestigious brands, promising an unparalleled beauty experience for all who visit.
Waterford has a brand new ‘Refill Store’ by GIY
Waterford now has a brand sustainability refill store ‘Larder’ at GROW HQ that encourages a low-waste and organic lifestyle by selling reusable, refillable or compostable products. The goal is to supply essential products alongside locally grown fresh produce while replacing everyday plastic purchases that often end up in the landfill. Larder offers household essentials including organic cereals, nuts, seeds, rice, sugar, pasta, oils, herbs, spices, dried fruits and vegetables, flours, chocolate, purees and sauces all sold in refillable containers. These will be joined shortly by organically grown seasonal fruit and veg grown by GIY at its market garden on the Curraghmore Estate and sold loose or via a weekly veg box order.
Shoppers will be able to take home in their own refillable containers to cut down on waste and enjoy the use of paper wrapping where required. The ‘Larder’ at GROW HQ is open from 9am to 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
Body positivity artist Clíodhna Doherty shines during Cannes Film Festival debut
Known as the Original Irish Nude Artist, Clíodhna Doherty has gained recognition for her empowering representations of the female form. She recently returned from a triumphant showing at this year’s prestigious International Fine Art Cannes Biennale, which took place during the Cannes Film Festival. Her piece, ‘Emily’, depicting the female form, was met with wide acclaim. The piece’s use of light yellow and peach hues against a background of purple highlighted the beauty and emotion of the relaxed, laughing female silhouette. This work exemplifies Clíodhna’s mission to inspire women and promote body positivity through her art.
Ireland to welcome huge new STEM experience from Canada: ‘Dream Tomorrow Today’
Interactive STEM experience for kids and families, ‘Dream Tomorrow Today’, will open in the Theatre of Light in the Point Square on 1 July. The exhibition is toured internationally by Flying Fish, known for its commitment to bringing innovative educational experiences to audiences worldwide. The experience invites children to embark on a journey into the future, exploring innovative technologies, ground-breaking ideas, and imaginative concepts that could shape the world of tomorrow. STEM refers to activities and experiences that engage participants in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Central to the exhibition’s vision is “Planet Power” – a comprehensive metric encompassing health, happiness, nature, and equality. By actively participating in the exhibition’s activities, young learners discover practical ways to improve their Planet Power scores and, in turn, contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. Click here for more information and to book tickets.
